1/3cup(26.67ml)shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
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Instructions
Preheat to 350°F with rack in centre of oven.
Grease a 9-inch square (or 10-inch round) metal cake pan. Set aside. *If you want, you can line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, for easy removal, but don't allow any parchment paper to extend beyond the top of the cake, as you will be broiling the top later and it could catch on fire!
Add chopped dates and baking soda to a medium bowl. Pour in the boiling water and stir. Let stand until completely cooled to room temperature.
In a large bowl with an electric beater or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and 1 cup brown sugar until light and smooth. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with date mixture (with any liquid with the dates), making 3 additions of flour mixture and 2 of date mixture.
Spoon batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake in preheated oven until firm to a light touch and a tester inserted into centre comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and switch oven broiler on.
Start the topping when the cake is almost done. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter, cream and coconut in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and boil gently for 1 minute. Spread topping mixture evenly over hot cake.
Broil cake about 6 inches from the heat source until bubbling and golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. **Don't wander off! Watch closely as topping can burn quickly.
Remove from oven and let cake cool on rack until cooled completely.
Notes
This cake keeps well at room temperature for several days or you can freeze to enjoy later.Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card, where I share some valuable tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!